Decoration means for collapsible tube and bag retainers

ABSTRACT

A decoration means ( 22 ) for retainers of collapsible tubes and bags. A user of a toothpaste or similar tube will normally progressively coil, lap or fold the bottom end of the tube as the contents of the tube is used. The user of a plastic or other collapsible bag will normally progressive coil, lap or fold the open end of the bag as the contents is used. The retainer device is attached to the coils, laps or folds of the tube or bag, holding them firmly in place, thereby preventing any uncoiling, un-lapping, or unfolding. The current invention provides a means ( 22 ) to add decoration ( 100 ) to the retaining device and, in some cases, change the decoration ( 135 ) and ( 137 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to collapsible tubes and bags, specifically toproviding a means of decorating retainers or clips that hold the lapped,folded, or rolled end of the tube or bag.

2. Priori Art

There is a wide range of products that come in tubes. These includetoothpaste, glue, medicine, caulk, ointments, lotions, oils, salves,soaps, and creams. Almost any liquid, cream, or paste substance can bedelivered in a tube. There is a similarly wide range of products thatcome in bags. These include food, hardware, and many kinds of small itemmerchandise.

Many of them, like toothpaste, glues, medicines, and food, deterioratewhen exposed to air. Many tubes and bags “remember” their completelyfilled shape and naturally return to it if left open, drawing air intothe tube or bag. Consequently, when stored till its next use, the tubeor bag has air inside it contributing to the deterioration of thecontents.

Other deformable tubes, instead of returning to their original shape,retain that into which they've been squeezed, resulting in an uneven,distorted tube out of which it is difficult to squeeze the last portionof the contents. This leads to consumer aggravation and product waste.For some tubes that don't crease, it is possible to smooth them out andthe last contents gotten out by rolling the tube up. However, having toflatten the tube and to squeegee the remaining contents up to the endwith the opening takes time and is aggravating to the consumer,especially if the tube doesn't stay rolled up and the consumer has to gothrough the same process each time.

Tube and bag retainers help by keeping a tube or bag rolled up. Thisprevents unwanted air from deteriorating or drying out the contents. Inthe case of tubes, it also makes it easy to squeeze out the nextportion, and allows the consumer to use the entire contents of the tube.

Each retainer typically provides a small area or small handle for humangrasping. None of them provide a good means for decoration such as aflat area containing a scene, picture, logo, or advertising.

There are many related patents for systems to automatically squeezetoothpaste or similar tubes, but these don't apply to the presentinvention because retainers are generally not used to squeeze out thecontents but, rather, are used to hold the tube or bag in a lapped,folded or rolled up state. There are also many patents for suchretainers, but none of them include decoration. The most relevant couldbe used to make the present invention by adding the decoration means.

The priori art for such retainers for collapsible tubes and bags is avery crowded field. There are some distinct basic ways of retaining theused-up state of a collapsible tube or bag. There are retainers that fitover the end of the lapped, folded, or rolled end of the tube or bag.These include 1) Jawed End Clips, where the user squeezes handles toopen the jaws and place them over that end, 2) Slip-on End Clips thatare typically made of one continuous, shaped piece of material, wherethe user slides the clip over that end, and 3) Side Clip retainers thatfit through the middle of the tube or bag's lapped, folded or rolledend, around its side, and onto the unused side of the tube or bag.Another category of retainers is Windup Keys or other turning mechanismsthat attach to or clamp onto the end of the tube or bag, help roll itup, and have a clip or other piece to help it stay rolled up. Othercategories retain the flattened state of a tube or bag. These includeSlide Retainers that have one or more slots through which the flattenedportion is advanced to retain that state, and Clamp Retainers that havesome mechanical or spring mechanism to clamp the flattened portion inthe desired state. Some clamps for tubes also have a means to helpdispense additional contents while advancing the flattened portion.Another category are Tab Retainers that attach to and stick sideways outfrom the closed end of the tube or open end of the bag and, after thetube or bag is lapped, folded or rolled, those tabs are folded over theback of the tube or bag to retain that lapped, folded or rolled state.Lastly, there are Housing Retainers that completely contain the tube orbag and have some internal mechanism to retain the flattened, folded orrolled state.

FIG. 1 shows examples of each of these categories of retainers asfollows:

20 Jawed End Clip, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,677 to Dorman (1998),

30 Slip-on End Clip, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,221 to Conlee(1996),

40 Side Clip, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,087 to Robinson (2004),

50 Windup Keys, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,065 to Powers (1996),

60 Slide, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,036 to Kelly (1991),

70 Clamp, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,434 to Light (1998),

80 Tab, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,854 to Ruben (1998), and

90 Housing, typified by U.S. Pat. No D315,842 to Tallman (1991).

The important point is that none of the retaining devices in any ofthese categories provides an explicit means of decoration. In FIG. 1,the handle of 20 and the other Jawed End Clips are not large enough fordecorations like a scenes or pictures, the surfaces of 30 and otherSlide-on Clips are not large enough for most decorations, the surfacesof 40 and other Side Clips are not large enough for most decorations,the retaining arms of 50 and other Windup Key Retainers are not largeenough for most decoration, the edge of 60 and other Slide Clipsprobably can't be decorated at all, the backs of 70 and other ClampRetainers are not large enough for most decorations, the tabs of 80 andother Tab Retainers are not large enough for most decorations, and thebacks of 90 and other Housing Retainers can accommodate some decoration,but are not large enough for many kinds of decoration like scenes andpictures.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention arethat a simple attachment or extension of an existing retaining devicecan provide a means of decoration. Such lengthening and or broadening asurface by adding an extension part to an existing retainer's surfacehas the unexpected result of providing a means of decoration. Thissolves the unrecognized means of decoration problem that none of themany priori art patents anticipated and claimed. This is a crowed artwith many retaining device patents. Adding an extension part fordecoration is a significant difference from all of them. Such anaddition to provide decoration has not been suggested by any of thepatents examined and this adding a surface provides the decoration meansadvantage which wasn't appreciated. Toothpaste and other collapsibletubes and bags have been around a long time and yet retaining deviceswith decoration are still not in use. Those of ordinary skill in the artof retainer design, manufacture, or sales will appreciate from readingthe present disclosure that the various embodiments described are newand novel.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a considerationof the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a means to decorate collapsible tube andbag retainer devices. It is a distinctly novel idea because it addsdecoration means to a retainer device and no existing retaining devicepossesses such means.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a decoration means for alleight of the retainer categories listed above, Jawed End Clips, Slip-onEnd Clips, Side Clip, Windup Keys, Slide Retainers, Clamp Retainers, TabRetainers, and Housing Retainers. Embodiments of the present inventionalso provide several distinct construction methods including extensioninstead of attachment, and surface, sleeve, or pocket. Other embodimentsshow a variety of sizes and shapes, such as rectangles, polygons,circles, and ovals.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1—Existing Retainer Mechanisms

FIG. 2—Preferred Embodiment, Jawed End Clip with Decoration Means

FIG. 3—Slip-on End Clip with Decoration Means Embodiment

FIG. 4—Side Clip with Decoration Means Embodiment

FIG. 5—Key Retainer with Decoration Means Embodiment

FIG. 6—Slide Retainer with Decoration Means Embodiment

FIG. 7—Retaining Clamp with Decoration Means Embodiment

FIG. 8—Tab Retainer with Decoration Means Embodiment

FIG. 9—Housing Retainer with Decoration Means Embodiment

FIG. 10—Various Proportions of Underlying Retainers

FIG. 11—Various Constructions of Decoration Means Embodiments

FIG. 12—Various Sizes of Decoration Means Embodiments

FIG. 13—Various Shapes of Decoration Means Embodiments

FIG. 14—Various Shapes of Decoration Means Embodiments, cont

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

20 Example Jawed End Clip retainer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,677

21 Jawed End Clip retainer handle.

22 Decoration Means for Jawed End Clip

24 Decoration Means as attachment to Jawed End Clip

26 Jawed End Clip retainer with Modified Proportions

30 Example Slip-on End Clip, U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,221

32 Decoration Means for Slip-on End Clip

34 Decoration Means as attachment to Slip-on End Clip

36 Slip-on End Clip retainer with Modified Proportions

40 Example Side Clip Retainer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,087

42 Decoration Means for Side Clip Retainer

44 Decoration Means as attachment to Side Clip

50 Example of windup key retainer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,065

52 Decoration Means for Windup Key Retainer

54 Decoration Means as attachment to Windup Key Retainer

60 Example Slide Retainer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,036

62 Decoration Means for Slide Retainer

64 Decoration Means as attachment to Slide Retainer

70 Example Clamp Retainer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,434

72 Decoration Means for Clamp Retainer

74 Decoration Means as attachment to Clamp Retainer

80 Example Tab Retainer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,854

82 Decoration Means for Tab Retainer

84 Decoration Means as attachment to Tab Retainer

90 Example Housing Retainer, U.S. Pat. No. D315,842

92 Clamp for over end of collapsible tube

94 Mechanism to control/advance collapsing of tube

96 Decoration Means for Housing Retainer

98 Decoration Means as attachment to Housing Retainer

100 Example Decoration

102 Example Decoration on back side

110 Example collapsible tube

112 Lapped, folded, or coiled part of collapsible tube

114 Different Example collapsible tube

115 Another Example collapsible tube

116 Example of partial collapsible tube

117 Another Example of a partial collapsible tube

118 Collapsed and flattened part of collapsible tube

120 Example collapsible bag

122 Lapped, folded or rolled part of bag

124 Collapsed and flattened part of bag

130 Decoration Means for Any Underlying Retainer

132 Decoration Means as Integral Part of Underlying Retainer

134 Decoration Means as Attached Part to Underlying Retainer

135 Decoration Means as Clear Spring Sleeve

136 Decoration Means with Clear Cover or Pocket

137 Zip-lock or Similar Means of Opening & Re-closing Pocket

138 Additional Decoration Means where Underlying Retainer allows it

140 Decoration Means as Previously shown, 32

142 Means of Decoration made longer

144 Means of Decoration made wider

146 Means of Decoration made smaller

150 Means of Decoration as square

151 Means of Decoration as rectangle

152 Means of Decoration as triangle

153 Means of Decoration as diamond

155 Means of Decoration as octagon

156 Means of Decoration as hexagon or other polygon

157 Means of Decoration as circle

158 Means of Decoration as oval/ellipse

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—FIG. 2

FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment, a Jawed End Clip with decorationmeans embodiment. Jawed End Clips are comprised of two clip members thateach have a jaw, handle extending from the jaw, and fulcrum between thejaw and handle. In addition to these two clip members, they arecomprised of a spring mechanism, where the spring mechanism is inpivotal engagement about the fulcrums of the opposing clip members sothat, as the handles are squeezed toward each other, the jaws open and,as the handles are released, the jaws close because of the spring. Thespring mechanism can be a coiled spring, leaf spring, other elasticmaterial, or even a rubber band.

The upper left portion of FIG. 2 shows an example collapsible tube 110with collapsible end lapped, folded, or coiled 112 where the referenceJawed End Clip 20 has been applied. The upper center portion shows aperspective view of an example decoration means surface 22 withdecoration added 100. The upper right portion of FIG. 2 shows aperspective view of the preferred embodiment 22 attached to the handle21 of reference retainer 20 which has been applied to the samecollapsible tube 110. Note that the means of decoration 22 extendsbeyond the handle 21 of the retainer 20.

The lower left portion of FIG. 2 shows an example bag 120 withcollapsible end lapped, folded, or coiled 122 where the reference JawedEnd Clip 20 has been applied. The lower right portion of FIG. 2 shows aperspective view of the preferred embodiment 22 attached to referenceretainer 20 and applied to the same bag 120.

The preferred embodiment 22, shown in both the upper and lower rightportions of FIG. 2, consists of a thin, rigid or stiff rounded,rectangular piece of plastic. The preferred construction is to attachthe decoration means to the handle of an existing Jawed End Clip as 24depicts. Manufacturer or consumer preferred decoration is then appliedto the decoration means as depicted by 100. A variation of the preferredembodiment is for the decoration to be laminated to the decoration meanssurface.

OPERATION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—FIG. 2

The manner of using a Jawed End Clip retainer 20 with preferreddecoration embodiment 22 is the same as that for using the retainerwithout the decoration embodiment. In particular, the handle parts ofthe Jawed End Clip are squeezed between the thumb and fingers, theretainer removed, the tube or bag lapped, folded, or rolled further, andthe clip replaced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS—FIGS. 3-13

Alternative embodiments of the present invention include application toeach of the other retainer categories and variations in construction,size, and shape. The description of each is similar to that of thepreferred embodiment, but abbreviated.

FIG. 3 shows a Slip-on End Clip with decoration means embodiment. Theupper left portion shows an example tube 110, collapsed end 112, andreference Slip-on End Clip 30. The upper right portion shows theembodiment 32 attached to the reference retainer 30 and applied to tube110. The lower left shows an example bag 120, collapsed end 122, andreference retainer 30. The lower right shows the embodiment 32 attachedto reference retainer 30 and applied to the bag 120. The embodiments 32,shown on the right, consists of the same piece of plastic attached to anexisting retainer as 34 depicts and decorated as 100 depicts.

FIG. 4 shows a Side Clip with decoration means embodiment. The upperleft portion shows a different example tube 114, collapsed end 112, andreference Side Clip 40. The upper right portion shows the embodiment 42attached to the reference retainer 40 and applied to tube 114. The lowerleft shows an example bag 120, collapsed end 122, and reference retainer40. The lower right shows the embodiment 42 attached to referenceretainer 40 and applied to the bag 120. The embodiments 42, shown on theright, consists of the same piece of plastic attached to an existingretainer as 44 depicts and decorated as 100 depicts.

FIG. 5 shows a Windup Key retainer with decoration means embodiment. Theleft portion shows an example tube 114, collapsed end 112, and referenceWindup Key retainer 50. The right portion shows the embodiment 52attached to the reference retainer 50 and applied to tube 114. Theembodiment 52 consists of the same piece of plastic attached to anexisting retainer as 54 depicts and decorated as 100 depicts.

FIG. 6 shows a Slide retainer with decoration means embodiment. Theupper left portion shows a partial tube 116, collapsed portion 118, andtwo views of the reference Slide retainer 60. The upper right portionshows the embodiment 62 attached to the reference retainer 60 andapplied to tube 116. The lower left shows an example bag 120, flattenedend 124, and reference retainer 60. The lower right shows the embodiment62 attached to reference retainer 60 and applied to the bag 120. Theembodiments 62, shown on the right, consists of the same piece ofplastic attached to an existing retainer as 64 depicts and decorated as100 depicts.

FIG. 7 shows a Clamp retainer with decoration means embodiment. The leftportion shows another example tube 115, collapsed end 118, and referenceClamp retainer 70. The right portion shows the embodiment 72 attached tothe reference retainer 70 and applied to tube 115. The embodiment 72consists of the same piece of plastic attached to an existing retaineras 74 depicts and decorated on the back side as 102 depicts.

FIG. 8 shows a Tab retainer with decoration means embodiment. The upperleft portion shows a partial tube 117, collapsed portion 112, and thereference Tab retainer 80. The upper right portion shows the embodiment82 attached to the reference retainer 80 and applied to tube 117. Thelower left shows an example bag 120, flattened end 122, and referenceretainer 80. The lower right shows the embodiment 82 attached toreference retainer 80 and applied to the bag 120. The embodiments 82,shown on the right, consists of the same piece of plastic attached to anexisting retainer as 84 depicts and decorated as 100 depicts.

FIG. 9 shows a Housing retainer with decoration means embodiment. Theleft portion shows a Housing retainer 90 with clamp 92 for over acollapsible tube (not shown) and mechanism 94 for control of collapsinga tube. The right portion shows the embodiment 96 attached to thereference retainer 90. The embodiment 96 consists of the same piece ofplastic attached to an existing retainer as 98 depicts and decorated onthe back side as 102 depicts.

FIGS. 2 through 9 have shown the decoration means embodiments for areference example of each of the eight categories of retainers.Importantly, these embodiments are not limited to the reference examplefor each category, but apply to all priori art of that category.Additionally, such embodiments also apply to other categories or otherkinds of retainers not mentioned here for which such decoration meanscould be added. Furthermore, variations like those described in thefollowing paragraphs also apply.

FIG. 10 show variations of the underlying retainer. In the upper half ofFIG. 10 are shown example collapsible tube 110, example collapsed partof that tube 112, and decoration means for any underlying retainer 130.The upper left shows the reference Jawed End Clip 20 while the upperright shows a variation of it 26 where the jaws have been modified to bethe same width as the handles.

The bottom part of FIG. 10 shows example bag 120, example collapsed partof the bag 122, and the same decoration means for any underlyingretainer 130. The lower left shows the reference Slip-on Clip 30 whilethe lower right shows a variation of it 36 where the width of the cliphas been widened to match the proportions of a bag as opposed to a tube.

The variations shown in FIG. 10 are intended to be examples of manydifferent kinds of variations, such as scale, proportions, dimensions,materials, color, etc., that are possible 1) in the underlying retainersshown, 2) in all retainers in each of the eight retainer categories, and3) in other categories or other kinds of retainers not mentioned herefor which such decoration means could be added to those modifiedretainers.

FIG. 11 show variations of the means of construction relative to thepreferred embodiment of the means of decoration 30 with attachmentconstruction 34 that are shown in the upper right part of FIG. 3. Eachquadrant of FIG. 11 shows additional different means of decorationconstruction and application to a collapsible tube 110. The upper leftshows the means of decoration 130 as an integral part of the underlyingretainer's construction 134. The upper right shows the means ofdecoration 135 as a thin clear spring sleeve into which decoration canbe slipped and subsequently changed as desired, rather than permanentlyaffixed. The clear spring sleeve is a variation of a Slip-on or SideClip retainer. Alternatively, the means of decoration could also be avariation of a Jawed End Clip retainer.

The lower left part of FIG. 11 shows the means of decoration 130augmented with zip-lock 137 like clear cover or bag 136 into whichdecoration can be added or changed as desired, rather than permanentlyaffixed. The orientation of the zip-lock can be anywhere on the front orback of the bag 136. And the lower right shows the means of decoration130 augmented by a second means of decoration 138 where the underlyingretainer allows it, such as Jawed End Clips which have two handles.

In addition to different construction techniques, different constructionmaterials are possible, such as plastic, metal, cardboard, glass, wood,or a combination of them. Furthermore, the decoration surface may beridged, semi-ridged, or flexible. Also possible are laminated versionsof these that include the decoration.

The variations shown in FIG. 11 are intended to be examples of manydifferent kinds of construction that are possible relative 1) to theunderlying retainers shown, 2) to all retainers in each of the eightretainer categories, and 3) to other categories or other kinds ofretainers not mentioned here for which such decoration means could beadded to those retainers.

FIG. 12 show variations of the size of the decoration means. Eachquadrant shows a different means of decoration construction andapplication to a collapsible tube 110 or bag 120. The upper left showsthe means of decoration 140 as was shown in previous figures. The upperright shows the means of decoration 142 made longer. The lower leftshows the means of decoration 144 made wider. And the lower right showsthe means of decoration 146 made smaller.

The variations shown in FIG. 12 are intended to be examples of manydifferent sizes that are possible relative 1) to the underlyingretainers shown, 2) to all retainers in each of the eight retainercategories, and 3) to other categories or other kinds of retainers notmentioned here for which such decoration means could be added to thoseretainers.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show variations of the shape of the decoration means. InFIG. 13, the upper left shows the means of decoration as a square 150,the upper right shows it as a rectangle 151, the lower left shows it asa triangle 152, and the lower right shows it as a diamond 153. In FIG.14, the upper left shows the means of decoration as a octagon 155, theupper right shows it as a hexagon 156, the lower left shows it as acircle 157, and the lower right shows it as an oval 158.

The variations shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are intended to be examples ofmany different shapes that are possible relative 1) to the underlyingretainers shown, 2) to all retainers in each of the eight retainercategories, and 3) to other categories or other kinds of retainers notmentioned here for which such decoration means could be added to thoseretainers.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The reader will see that, according to the description of the invention,I have provided a new and heretofore un-described means of decoratingall categories of collapsible tube and bag retainers, irrespective ofdimension-like variations of those underlying retainers. I have provideda description of various means of construction, like attachment,integration, clear covers, and/or dual decorations, and of differentsizes and shapes, none of which are mentioned in the priori art.

While the above description contains many specifications, these shouldnot be construed as limitations on the scope of the present invention,but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof.Many other ramifications and variations are possible within theteachings of the invention. Thus the scope of the invention should bedetermined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and notby the examples given.

1. A decoration means comprising a. a means of retaining collapsibletubes and bags in their lapped, folded, or rolled state, b. a means fordecoration, and c. said means of decoration made part of said means ofretaining.
 2. A decoration means comprising a. a retainer forcollapsible tubes and bags, b. a member for decoration, and c. saidmember is attached to said retainer, whereby decoration can be added tosaid member.
 3. The decoration means of claim 2 where in said member isa ridged surface extending beyond the surfaces of said retainer.
 4. Thedecoration means of claim 3 wherein said surface is flexible.
 5. Thedecoration means of claim 3 wherein said surface is of different shape.6. The decoration means of claim 3 wherein a plurality of said surfacesare attached to different parts of said retainer.
 7. The decorationmeans of claim 2 wherein said member is an integral part of saidretainer.
 8. The decoration means of claim 2 wherein said member is madeof a different material.
 9. The decoration means of claim 2 wherein saidmember is a clear laminated material already containing the decoration.10. The decoration means of claim 2 wherein said member is a clip bywhich decoration can be added.
 11. The clip of claim 10 wherein saidclip is a clear spring sleeve into which decoration can be added. 12.The decoration means of claim 2 wherein said member is a clear flexiblepouch with an opening through which decoration can be added.
 13. Thedecoration means of claim 12 wherein said opening is a zip lock.
 14. Adecoration means comprising a. a jawed end clip retainer for collapsibletubes and bags comprising i. first and second clip members, each havinga jaw, handle extending from the jaw, and fulcrum between the jaw andhandle, ii. a spring, iii. the spring in pivotal engagement about thefulcrums of the opposing clip members so that, as the handles aresqueezed toward each other, the jaws open, b. a ridged surface fordecoration, c. said surface attached to the handle of the first memberof said jawed end clip retainer, and d. said surface extending beyondsaid handle, whereby decoration can be added to said surface.
 15. Thedecoration means of claim 14 wherein said surface is an integral part ofsaid jawed end clip first member handle.
 16. The decoration means ofclaim 14 wherein a second said surface is made part of said jawed endclip second member handle.
 17. The decoration means of claim 14 whereinsaid surface is made of a clear laminated material already containingthe decoration.
 18. The decoration means of claim 14 wherein saidsurface is made of a thin clear spring sleeve into which decoration canbe added.